Key clinical point: The clinical characteristics of menstrual migraine (MM) quantitatively differ from those of non-MM, with its symptoms being more severe and inadequately captured by the current diagnostic criteria, necessitating formulation of new criteria for MM diagnosis.
Major finding: The prevalence rates of MM and non-MM were 16.6% and 45.9%, respectively. The MM vs non-MM group was more likely to have more frequent (odds ratio [OR] 7.21), longer duration (OR 2.32), and more severe (OR 1.17) migraine attacks; less frequent nonmigraine headaches (OR 0.31); better treatment outcomes with triptans (OR 1.66); better improvement in migraine attacks during late pregnancy (OR 5.10); and a faster reappearance of migraine attacks postpartum (OR 3.19; all P < .001).
Study details: This case-control study included 12,618 patients with migraine (3434 men and 9184 women).
Disclosures: This study was funded by the Candys Foundation and others. S Brunak and OB Pedersen declared receiving grants, research funds, personal fees, or compensation as a managing board member from or holding stocks in various organizations. The other authors disclosed no conflicts of interest.
Source: Chalmer MA et al. Population-based characterization of menstrual migraine and proposed diagnostic criteria. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6:e2313235 (May 15). doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.13235